The General Assembly returned last week for final passage of the state budget. Here are the highlights from the action in the Senate:
STATE BUDGET – Following adjournment on June 6, a conference committee of House and Senate members worked to resolve differences in the state budget. The committee was able to reach an agreement and presented the report to the full House and Senate last week. The House and Senate then adopted the conference report and sent it to Governor Haley.
Here are some of the highlights of the 2013-2014 budget:
- $23.5 million to purchase 285 new school buses. This is about 2/3 of what’s needed to comply with a 2007 law that recommends the state replace 1/15th of the bus fleet every year. This is a significant improvement over previous years.
- limited school choice options for parents of children with special needs. The budget allows for tax credits for donations to private scholarship-granting organizations that offer scholarships to special needs students.
- Expands the 4-K program to 17 additional school districts where 75% or more of the students fall under the poverty threshold.
- Provides funds for an additional 30 Highway Patrol Officers
- Nearly $800 million for infrastructure funding. Here’s an article from The State http://www.thestate.com/2013/06/24/2832924/gov-nikki-haley-signs-500-million.html about the infrastructure spending.
- $50 Million (recurring annually) for priority roads and bridges
- State Transportation Infrastructure Bank will use this money to issue 12-15 year bonds that will provide $500 million for interstate work and bridges statewide
- $41 Million (recurring annually) for Non-Federal Aid Highways
- $50 Million (one-time surplus) for Bridges. SCDOT can receive federal matching funds for this money at a 5:1 ratio, meaning SCDOT will have roughly $250 million for bridge work statewide.
- No expansion of Medicaid pursuant to Obamacare
Here’s an article from The State, detailing some of the budget highlights.
Governor Haley should issue her budget vetoes on Tuesday. I expect the Senate will return on Thursday to consider those vetoes.
ELECTION LAW REFORM – Last week Governor Haley signed into law S.2, a bill designed to correct the mistake that led to more than 200 candidates being prevented from running for offices statewide last year.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S SCHEDULE – The General Assembly will return for 1-2 days this week to take up Governor Haley’s budget vetoes. The General Assembly should adjourn for the year by June 27.
Constituent Interests
SPC. EMBER M. ALT KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN – Specialist Ember Alt, a soldier from Beech Island in Aiken County, was killed in action in Afghanistan last week. I am extremely grateful for her service, and I pray the Lord will give comfort to her family. You can read a story about Spc. Alt here.
DEDICATION OF MLK HIGHWAY IN MCCORMICK – The Town of McCormick will dedicate a portion of Highway 28 in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, 6/30/13. The ceremony will take place at McCormick Middle School at 3:30.
LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL – MIDLANDS’ ATHLETIC PROGRAM OF THE YEAR! – Winners of 5 state championships this past year, Lexington High School won the Midlands’ Athletic Program of the Year for the 4th consecutive year. You can read an article about the award here. Congratulations, Wildcats!
OUR SENATE DISTRICT – Senate district 25 consists of all of Edgefield County and parts of Aiken, Lexington, McCormick, and Saluda Counties. If you’d like to see the district map, go here.
VOTING RECORD – If you’d like to see how I voted last week, go here. You can always check to see how I vote by going to my website, www.senatormassey.com, and clicking on the “Voting Record” tab.
SPEAKING WITH GROUPS – Several groups, clubs, and classes around our Senate district have invited me to attend their meetings and provide legislative updates. If you would like for me to come speak with your group, please let me know.
EMAIL UPDATES – If you know of people in or around District 25 who do not receive my updates but would like to get them, please email their names and email addresses to me. You can also forward this email to them and encourage them to sign up for the updates at www.senatormassey.com.
Sincerely,
Shane Massey
P.O. Box 551
Edgefield, SC 29824
Email – shanemassey@scsenate.gov
Cell Phone – (803) 480-0419
P.S. Please visit www.senatormassey.com for more posts, news, and video updates. Also, please “friend” me on Facebook www.facebook.com/shanemassey.sc and follow me on Twitter (@shanemassey).